Fans are an essential appliance for staying cool during hot summer months. With temperatures rising, many people look for the best fans to keep their homes breezy and comfortable. The two most popular types of fans are tower fans and normal pedestal or box fans. But is one type better than the other? We’ll compare the pros and cons of tower fans versus normal fans to help you decide which is right for your needs.
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How Tower Fans Work
Tower fans are tall, slim fans that sit on the floor and blow air vertically. They are typically over 3 feet tall and around 1 foot wide. Tower fans work by pulling air into their base and pushing it out through the top via an internal fan system. The column-like design allows for a larger fan inside that can move more air. Many tower fans also oscillate or rotate to spread the air around a wider area. Tower fans often have multiple speed settings and sometimes have other features like timers or remotes.
Tower Fan Pros
- Take up less floor space – Good for small rooms
- Oscillate to disperse air widely
- Tall design cools you quickly as you sit
- Usually have multiple fan speeds
- Often include timers and remote controls
- Quieter than normal fans
Tower Fan Cons
- Only blow air in one direction
- Less powerful airflow than industrial fans
- More expensive than normal fans
- May lack features like tilt adjustment
- Oscillation can break over time
How Normal Fans Work
In contrast to tower fans, normal fans are wide and squat. They include table fans, box fans, and pedestal fans with fan blades exposed behind a front grill. Normal fans work by pulling air into their front and pushing it out horizontally via rotating blades. The airflow is more concentrated than a tower fan and focused in the direction the fan faces. Most normal fans sit on the floor, a desk, or high shelf when in use.
Normal Fan Pros
- Powerful concentrated airflow
- Can tilt or angle as needed
- Cheaper than tower fans
- Industrial models move lots of air
- Easily positioned around a room
- Blades cut through hot air
Normal Fan Cons
- Takes up more floor space
- Fixed direction of airflow
- Noisier than tower fans
- Exposed blades may be hazardous
- Fewer settings than tower fans
- Prone to collecting dust on grills
Tower Fan vs Normal Fan Airflow
The main difference between tower and normal fans is the direction and concentration of airflow:
- Tower fans blow air vertically in a wide column but with less force. Their oscillation feature helps circulate air around a whole room.
- Normal fans blow air horizontally in a focused, powerful stream. You have to angle them to direct their airflow.
Tower fans are better for indirectly cooling a wide area. Normal fans are ideal for targeted cooling or air circulation. Tower fans work well in bedrooms while normal fans may be better for living rooms or kitchens.
Noise Levels
An important consideration is noise. No one wants an annoyingly loud fan. Here’s how the fans compare in decibels (dB):
| Fan Type | Noise Level |
|---|---|
| Tower fan on low | 40 dB |
| Tower fan on high | 50-65 dB |
| Normal fan on low | 50 dB |
| Normal fan on high | 60-70 dB |
On lower settings, tower fans tend to operate quieter than normal fans. But on higher speed, tower fans can get just as loud. Box fans and industrial fans especially generate more noise when moving lots of air. So tower fans win for peaceful white noise while still cooling, but noisy normal fans churn out more raw power.
Oscillation and Tilt
Oscillation and tilt adjustment are useful fan features:
- Oscillation – Tower fans rotate left-to-right to spread air widely. Normal fans remain fixed in position.
- Tilt Adjustment – Normal fans tilt up or down to direct airflow. Tower fans remain upright.
Oscillating tower fans provide great circulation for bedrooms or offices. Tilt on normal fans really focuses airflow where you want it most. It comes down to full room cooling vs concentrated blasts of air.
Fan Power and Settings
More fan speeds allow you to better control airflow. Here’s how tower and normal fans compare:
- Tower Fans – 3-10 speeds is typical. Multiple settings precisely adjust airflow.
- Normal Fans – Usually just Low, Medium, and High settings. Less flexibility for speed.
Tower fans clearly provide more fan speed options. You can really dial in the exact amount of cooling with settings like Sleep Mode or Nature Mode on some models. Normal fans are more limited to basic power levels.
Special Features
Advanced functions like timers, thermostats, and remotes allow greater convenience and customization:
- Tower Fans – Tend to have timers, thermostats, sleep modes, ionizers, and remotes.
- Normal Fans – Typically just manual knobs without special electronics.
Tower fans integrate more tech-savvy features for automated, customized operation. Most normal fans just have basic on/off knobs without timers or smart controls. So tower fans pull ahead for programmable convenience.
Bedroom Use
Bedrooms demand comfortable, peaceful airflow for sleeping:
- Tower Fans – Tall design takes up less space. Quieter for sleep. Oscillation cools whole room.
- Normal Fans – Noisier airflow. Fixed direction limiting circulation.
For bedroom use, tower fans are the winner. Their quiet operation and full-room oscillation provide cooling without disruptive noise or bothersome direct airflow. Tower fans take up less room and won’t clutter a nightstand.
Living Room Use
In a living room, you may want stronger, directed airflow:
- Tower Fans – Shorter oscillations can miss people on couches. Indirect airflow.
- Normal Fans – Can angle airflow onto couches. More focused cooling power.
Normal fans are likely the better living room choice. You can point their higher velocity airflow exactly where needed. Oscillating tower fans may not reach seated people as well throughout the room. Go with normal fans for strongest airflow where you want it.
Portability
Need a fan you can move around? Portability is determined by:
- Tower Fans – Tall and thin but still heavy. Hard to transport.
- Normal Fans – Compact shape easier to pick up and move. No hassle portability.
Normal fans like box fans win for portability hands down. Their smaller profile and light weight makes moving them a breeze. Most tower fans are too big, bulky, and heavy to easily lug room to room.
Appearance
Fan design and visual appeal may also be important to you:
- Tower Fans – Slim, sleek, and modern. Unobtrusive.
- Normal Fans – Utilitarian look. Can be an eyesore.
There’s no question tower fans boast a contemporary streamlined style compared to the industrial appearance of normal fans. Tower fans fade into the background more with their compact vertical design. Normal fans tend to look clunky and unsightly.
Safety
All fans should meet certain safety standards:
- Tower Fans – Enclosed blades prevent hazards.
- Normal Fans – Exposed, rotating blades risk injury.
The blade enclosure of tower fans makes them far safer, especially around children and pets. Normal pedestal or box fans have open blades that could cut fingers if accidentally touched when spinning at high speeds.
Price
Budget shoppers take note – fan prices vary:
- Tower Fans – $50-$300, more expensive but lower energy costs.
- Normal Fans – $10-$75, very cheap but higher electricity bills.
Tower fans have a higher upfront cost, sometimes several times the price of a basic box fan. However, tower fans are energy efficient and cost little to operate for seasons of use. Normal fans are cheap to buy but their higher energy consumption adds up over time.
Maintenance
Tower and normal fans require minimal care:
- Tower Fans – Enclosed blades prevent dust buildup.
- Normal Fans – Exposed grills prone to getting dirty.
The maintenance advantage goes to tower fans. Their covered blades stay clean while normal fans easily get clogged with dust on front grills and blades. However, normal fans make it easier to vacuum off the dust when needed.
Conclusion
So is a tower fan better than a normal fan? Here’s a quick summary:
- Cooling Power – Normal fans provide stronger, more focused airflow.
- Circulation – Oscillating tower fans best for whole room circulation.
- Noise – Tower fans operate quieter, good for bedrooms.
- Features – Tower fans offer more settings and programmability.
- Portability – Normal fans are lighter and easier to move around.
- Appearance – Tower fans have a modern, sophisticated look.
- Safety – Tower fans are safer with enclosed blades.
- Price – Tower fans cost more upfront but have lower energy costs.
Overall, tower fans are the better choice for whole room circulation and convenience features, while normal fans provide stronger targeted airflow. Tower fans typically make more sense for bedrooms and home offices. Normal fans are ideal where you need high-velocity, directional cooling power like in larger living rooms or workshops. Consider your needs and compare the pros and cons before deciding between these two great options for staying cool!